@ PERSONAL APPLICATION: THE LIFESTYLE ASSESS MENT ‘The lifestyle assessment is typically done at the initial phase of therapy as a way to obtain information about the client's family constellation, early recollections, dreams, and strengths as a person. This information is then summarized and interpreted, especially in light of the client’ faulty assumptions about life (or “basic mistakes"). From the results of this assessment procedure, counselors make tentative interpretations about the client's Although there are a number of formats for the lifestyle questionnaire, counselors may develop their own variation by focusing on information deemed most valuable for exploration in therapy. What follows is an example of a lifestyle questionnaire that has been modified and adapted from various sources, but especially from Mosak and ‘Shulman’s Life Style Inventory (1988). To give you an experiential sense of the of thinking and responding to this early life-history material, complete the following eenCHAPTER 5 ADLERIAN THERAPY 37 questionnaire as it applies to you. As much as possible, try to give your initial responses, without worrying about what you can and cannot remember or about any “correct” ree sponses. I strongly encourage you to fill in the blanks and to make brief summaries after each section. Assume that you are interested in being a client in Adlerian therapy. Based on the outcomes of this questionnaire, what areas of your life would you most like to ex- plore? How much help is this questionnaire in getting you focused on what you might ‘want from a therapeutic relationship? Family Constellation: Birth Order and Sibling Description 1. List the siblings from oldest to youngest. Give a brief description of each (including yourself). What most stands out for each sibling? eee ee Sn eee eee 2. Do a rating of each of the siblings, from the highest to the lowest, on each of the follow- ing personality dimensions. Include your own position in relationship to your siblings. Most 10 Least ‘Most 10 Least intelligent feminine achievement-oriented masculine hardworking ‘easygoing pleasing daring assertive responsible —_______ charming. idealistic conforming materialistic methodical fun-loving athletic. demanding rebellious critical of self spoiled withdrawn critical of others sensitive bossy 3. Which sibling is the most different from you, and how? Se Sen 4. Which is most like you, and how? $e 5. Which played together? 6 Which fought each other? 1 8 /- Who took care of whom? . Were there any unusual achievements by the siblings? nese | panto Tweomies ano TecHwaues oF couNsELNG 9. Any accidents or sickness? 10, What kind of child were you? 11, What was schoo! like for you? 12, What childhood fears did you have? 13, What were your childhood ambitions? 14, What was your role in your peer group? 15, Were there any significant events in your physical and sexual developrent? 16. Any highlights in your social development? 17. What were the most important values in your family? 18. What stands out the most for you about your family life? Family Constellation: Parental Figures and Relationships 1. Your father’s current age.__________ Mother's age. 2. His occupation, _____________ Her occupation, 3, What kind of person is he?______ What kind of person is she? 4, His ambitions for the children, ______ Her ambitions for the children, —_ 5, Your childhood view of your father Your childhood view of your mother.(CHAPTER'S ADLERIAN THERAPY ss 6. His favorite child, and why? 7. Relationship to children. 8, Sibling most like father. In what ways? _Sibling most like mother. In what ways? 9. Describe your parents’ relationship with each other. 10. In general, how did each of the siblings view and react to your parents? 11. In general, what was your parents’ relationship to the children? Early Recollections and Dreams 1. What is your earliest single and specific memory? SSS ee ee 2, What are some other early recollections? Be as detailed as possible. i eseeeeSeSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSS 3. What feelings are associated with any of these early memories? SSS SSS 4, Can you recall any childhood dreams? es cs 5. Do you have any recurring dreams?PART TWO THEORIES AND TECHMIQUES OF COUNSELING Lifestyle Summary 1. Give a summary of your family constellation, (What stands out most about your role in your family? Are there any themes in your family history?) 2, Summarize your early recollections. (Are there any themes running through your early memories? Do you see any meaning in your early recollections?) ——_____ 3, List your mistaken self-defeating perceptions. (What do you see as your “basic mistakes?) 4, Summarize what you consider to be your strengths as a person. (What are your assets?) Now that you are finished with this lifestyle questionnaire: ‘What did you learn from taking it and reviewing it? = Assuming you will bea client in counseling, what theme(s) do you most want to address? Do you see connections between your past and the person you are today? What about ‘any continuity from your past and present to your strivings toward the future? = Do you see any patterns in your life? Are there any themes running through from child- hood to the present?